Objectives
The overarching goal of the Centre for Bone and Muscle Health (CBMH) is to facilitate new knowledge to enhance or optimize musculoskeletal function and quality of life throughout the lifespan. This is achieved through the implementation of transdisciplinary research-to-practice approach, through the integration of bench sciences, social sciences, the co-production of knowledge, research partnerships and community engagement.
Overall, the CBMH promotes collaboration, cooperation and a climate of productivity, within the fields of bone and muscle health, and specifically, the interaction of the two fields (e.g., muscle-bone unit). Importantly, the Centre serves to increase the visibility of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences (FAHS) and Brock University as a hub for bone and muscle research.
Background
The CBMH is the continuation of the Centre for Muscle Metabolism and Biophysics (founded in 2007). The name was changed in 2012, as a result of the expansion of the Centre’s membership and in order to better capture the ongoing research focus.
FAHS has a strong cohort of researchers, whose research focuses on bone health, muscle health or the interaction between them (e.g., muscle-bone unit), at various levels: molecular, cellular, whole animal or human level, in various populations: youth, adults and older individuals. These researchers are sometimes joined by members of other faculties at Brock University, as well as outside of Brock. Thus, the CBMH membership constitutes mainly faculty members of FAHS, but also members from other faculties and from outside of Brock University. By bringing together our intellectual resources, we are able to advance our work in both basic and applied physiology and health sciences. The Centre allows for initiation of new, collaborative research, and importantly, provides a forum for research discussion over time. Notably, with the wide scope of research interest, populations of interest and techniques and technology used, the CBMH provides an excellent set-up for cross-training of highly qualified personnel – undergraduate, graduate students and research fellows.